Antimicrobial composition

ABSTRACT

A method for antimicrobial treatment comprising applying to microbes a composition containing a diluting solvent (e.g., water), an antimicrobially-active solvent having a density different from the density of the diluting solvent, and an optional cosolvent, surfactant, or additional antimicrobial agent, wherein the amount of antimicrobially-active solvent or additional antimicrobial agent is sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant is sufficiently low so that the composition will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of  Bacillus cereus  within 10 seconds at 60° C. Preferred methods of the invention employ compositions containing an additional antimicrobial agent such as peroxyacetic acid. Compositions for use in the method can be prepared as concentrates, and used full strength or in diluted form.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/560,170, filed Apr. 28, 2000, and a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/641,775, filed Aug. 18, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to compositions that can be used, for example, to clean, reduce the microbial population of, or sterilize surfaces, and to compositions that can be used for aseptic packaging.

BACKGROUND

[0003] There has been a longstanding need for antimicrobial agents having improved antimicrobial efficacy and improved speed of action. The specific requirements for such agents vary according to the intended application (e.g., sanitizer, disinfectant, sterilant, aseptic packaging treatment, etc.) and the applicable public health requirements. For example, as set out in Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants, Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, paragraph 960.09 and applicable sections, 15th Edition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2), a sanitizer should provide a 99.999% reduction (5-log order reduction) within 30 seconds at room temperature, 25±2° C., against several test organisms.

[0004] Many antimicrobial agents (e.g., iodophors, peracids, hypochlorites, chlorine dioxide, ozone, etc.) have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties. However, these agents sometimes have inadequate activity against bacterial spores, fungal spores, and fungi. Killing, inactivating, or otherwise reducing the active population of bacterial spores and fungi on surfaces is particularly difficult. Bacterial spores have a unique chemical composition of spore layers that make them more resistant than vegetative bacteria to the antimicrobial effects of chemical and physical agents. Likewise, the unique chemical composition of fungal cells, especially mold spores, makes them more resistant to chemical and physical agents than are other microorganisms. This resistance can be particularly troublesome when the spores or fungi are located on surfaces such as food, food contact sites, ware, hospitals and veterinary facilities, surgical implements, and hospital and surgical linens and garments.

[0005] Control of the mold Chaetomium funicola, and of bacterial spore-forming microorganisms of the Bacillus species, can be especially important during food packaging, particularly during cold or hot aseptic filling of food and beverage products. Microorganisms of the Bacillus species include Bacillus cereus, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus anthracis, and Bacillus thuringiensis. These latter microorganisms share many phenotypical properties, have a high level of chromosomal sequence similarity, and are known enterotoxin producers. Bacillus cereus is one of the most problematic because Bacillus cereus has been identified as possessing increased resistance to germicidal chemicals used to decontaminate environmental surfaces. For example, Blakistone et al., Efficacy of Oxonia Active Against Selected Sporeformers, Journal of Food Protection, Volume 62, pp. 262-267, reported that Bacillus cereus was more tolerant to the effects of conventionally formulated peroxyacetic acid germicides than all other spore-forming bacteria tested, including other Bacillus and Clostridium species.

[0006]Bacillus cereus is frequently diagnosed as a cause of gastrointestinal disorders and has been suggested to be the cause of several food-borne illness outbreaks. Due to its rapid sporulating capacity, Bacillus cereus easily survives in the environment. Bacillus cereus is omnipresent in nature, and consequently can usually be found in animal feed and fodder. Bacillus cereus can contaminate raw milk via feces and soil, and can survive intestinal passage in cows and the pasteurization process.

[0007]Bacillus cereus is also known to cause serious human illness via environmental contamination. For example, Bacillus cereus is known to cause post-traumatic injury eye infections, which can result in visual impairment or loss of vision within 12-48 hours after infection. In addition, Bacillus cereus is regarded as transferable from washed surgical garments to patients.

[0008] Agents having greater or faster activity against bacterial spores, fungi, and other resistant microorganisms (particularly microorganisms of the Bacillus species) could help meet a substantial public health need, and one that is not adequately addressed by current commonly-used antimicrobial agents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides, in one aspect, a method for antimicrobial treatment comprising applying to microbes a composition containing a diluting solvent (e.g., water), an antimicrobially-active solvent having a density different from the density of the diluting solvent, and an optional cosolvent, surfactant, or additional antimicrobial agent, wherein the amount of antimicrobially-active solvent or additional antimicrobial agent is sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant is sufficiently low so that the composition will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C. In a preferred aspect, the methods of the invention provide broader spectrum antimicrobial action, providing greater than a 1 -log order reduction within 10 seconds at 60° C. in one or more additional organisms such as the mold Chaetomium funicola. In a more preferred aspect, the methods of the invention provide greater than a 1-log order reduction within 10 seconds at 60° C. in Chaetomium funicola, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus.

[0010] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for antimicrobial treatment, comprising applying to microbes a composition as described above, wherein the composition further comprises such additional antimicrobial agent. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the additional antimicrobial agent comprises a peracid such as peroxyacetic acid; a peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide; or a halogen containing compound such as hypochlorous acid (or its salts), chlorine dioxide, hypobromous acid (or its salts), or an interhalide such as iodine monochloride, iodine dichloride, iodine tetrachloride, bromine chloride, iodine monobromide, or iodine dibromide.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the invention provides an antimicrobial concentrate and instructions for mixing the concentrate with water, wherein the concentrate comprises an antimicrobially-active solvent that has a density different from that of water, an optional cosolvent or surfactant, and an optional additional antimicrobial agent, the amounts of antimicrobially-active solvent and optional additional antimicrobial agent being sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant being sufficiently low so that the composition will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprises said additional antimicrobial agent and the amount of antimicrobially-active solvent is sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant is sufficiently low so that the composition does not form a clear single-phase solution or microemulsion when the concentrate is mixed with water according to the instructions.

[0012] In a further aspect, the invention provides an antimicrobial composition comprising a diluting solvent, an antimicrobially-active solvent having a density that is different from the density of the diluting solvent, an additional antimicrobial agent, and an optional cosolvent or surfactant, the amounts of antimicrobially-active solvent and of additional antimicrobial agent being sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant being sufficiently low so that the composition will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus or the mold Chaetomium funicola within 10 seconds at 60° C.

[0013] In yet another aspect, the invention provides an antimicrobial concentrate and instructions for mixing the concentrate with water, wherein the concentrate comprises an antimicrobially-active solvent that has a density different from that of water, an optional cosolvent or surfactant, and an additional antimicrobial agent, the amounts of antimicrobially-active solvent and additional antimicrobial agent being sufficiently high so that the composition will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus or the mold Chaetomium funicola within 10 seconds at 60° C. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprises a sufficiently high amount of additional antimicrobial agent and antimicrobially-active solvent such that the composition forms a clear single-phase solution when the concentrate is mixed with water according to the instructions, and provides greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus or Bacillus subtilis and in the population of the mold Chaetomium funicola within 10 seconds at 60° C.

[0014] The method and compositions of the invention are especially useful for aseptic packaging, re-use clean-in-place (CIP) or clean-out-of-place (COP) systems, hospital disinfectants, veterinary clinic disinfectants, and as sporicides or sterilants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] As used in this invention, the term “sterilant” refers to a physical or chemical agent or process capable of destroying all forms of life (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores) on inanimate surfaces. One procedure is described in A.O.A. C. Sporicidal Activity of Disinfectants, Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, paragraph 966.04 and applicable sections, 15^(th) Edition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2) As used in this invention, the term “antimicrobial composition” refers to a composition having the ability to cause greater than a 90% reduction (1-log order reduction) in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus species within 10 seconds at 60° C., using the above-mentioned Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants procedure. Preferably, Bacillus cereus or Bacillus subtilis are used in such procedure. Also preferably, the antimicrobial compositions of the invention provide greater than a 99% reduction (2-log order reduction), more preferably greater than a 99.99% reduction (4-log order reduction), and most preferably greater than a 99.999% reduction (5-log order reduction) in such population within 10 seconds at 60° C. Preferably, the antimicrobial compositions of the invention also provide greater than a 99% reduction (2-log order reduction), more preferably greater than a 99.99% reduction (4-log order reduction), and most preferably greater than a 99.999% reduction (5-log order reduction) in the population of one or more additional organisms such as the mold Chaetomium funicola. Because in their broadest sense these definitions for antimicrobial activity are different from some of the current governmental regulations, the use in connection with this invention of the term “antimicrobial” is not intended to indicate compliance with any particular governmental standard for antimicrobial activity.

[0016] As used in this invention, the term “sporicide” refers to a physical or chemical agent or process having the ability to cause greater than a 90% reduction (1-log order reduction) in the population of spores of Bacillus cereus or Bacillus subtilis within 10 seconds at 60° C. Preferably, the sporicidal compositions of the invention provide greater than a 99% reduction (2-log order reduction), more preferably greater than a 99.99% reduction (4-log order reduction), and most preferably greater than a 99.999% reduction (5-log order reduction) in such population within 10 seconds at 60° C.

[0017] As used in this invention, the term “sanitizer” refers to an agent that reduces the number of bacterial contaminants to safe levels as judged by public health requirements. Preferably, sanitizers for use in this invention will provide at least a 99.999% reduction (5-log order reduction) using the Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants procedure referred to above.

[0018] As used in this invention, the term “disinfectant” refers to an agent that kills all vegetative cells including most recognized pathogenic microorganisms, using the procedure described in A.O.A.C. Use Dilution Methods, Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, paragraph 955.14 and applicable sections, 15th Edition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2).

[0019] As used in this invention, the term “preservative” refers to an agent that extends the storage life of food and non-food products by retarding or preventing deterioration of flavor, odor, color, texture, appearance, nutritive value, or safety. A preservative need not provide a lethal, irreversible action resulting in partial or complete microbial cell destruction or incapacitation. Sterilants, sanitizers, disinfectants, sporicides, viracides and tuberculocidal agents provide such an irreversible mode of action, sometimes referred to as “bactericidal” action. In contrast, a preservative can provide an inhibitory or bacteriostatic action that is reversible, in that the target microbes can resume multiplication if the preservative is removed. The principal differences between a preservative and a sanitizer primarily involve mode of action (a preservative prevents growth rather than killing microorganisms) and exposure time (a preservative has days to months to act whereas a sanitizer has at most a few minutes to act).

[0020] When applied to microbes (e.g., when applied to a surface containing microbes), the compositions of the invention exhibit antimicrobial action. The mechanism by which such action takes place is not completely understood. However, as shown in the Examples set out below, very rapid and substantially complete antimicrobial action can be attained.

[0021] Some preferred compositions and methods of the invention provide “pseudo-stable” antimicrobial compositions that phase-separate following application of the composition to a surface. These compositions can also be described as exhibiting “phase-splitting” characteristics. The term “phase” refers to a homogeneous fluid portion that is present in or that can form in a fluid system. The term “phases” refers to the presence of more than one phase in a heterogeneous fluid system. The term “pseudo-stable” refers to a composition that forms a single phase when subjected to mild mixing or other agitation and retains that single phase for a sufficient period of time so that the composition can be applied to a surface, but which will promptly form two or more phases when left undisturbed. The term “phase-splitting” is meant to describe a single phase antimicrobially-active solvent-containing composition that forms at least two laminar phases promptly after being applied atop a generally horizontal surface or on a generally vertical surface, whereby a film containing a concentrated amount of the antimicrobially-active solvent lies between the surface and a film containing a much lower amount of the antimicrobially-active solvent. In a composition that has undergone phase splitting, the phase containing a concentrated amount of the antimicrobially-active solvent will be referred to as the solvent phase, and the phase containing a much lower amount of the antimicrobially-active solvent will be referred to as the dilute phase or diluting phase. For example, on counters, floors and other generally horizontal surfaces, the solvent phase will lie atop the surface (or atop microbes on the surface) and under the dilute phase or phases. On walls or other generally vertical surfaces, the solvent phase will lie adjacent the surface (or adjacent microbes on the surface) and under the dilute phase or phases. In such compositions, as is described in more detail below, attainment of pseudo-stable phase-splitting behavior can be achieved by employing a sufficiently high amount of antimicrobially-active solvent and a sufficiently low amount of cosolvent or surfactant.

[0022] In some compositions of the invention (and in some methods of the invention employing such compositions), the amount of antimicrobially-active solvent is sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant is sufficiently low so that the composition forms a “quasi-stable” antimicrobial composition. Such compositions have a clear or slightly cloudy appearance, do not form a clear single-phase solution or microemulsion, and do not undergo phase-splitting. However, they are antimicrobial compositions as defined herein. If in such quasi-stable compositions the amount of antimicrobially-active solvent is increased sufficiently, or if the amount of cosolvent or surfactant is decreased sufficiently, then these compositions will become pseudo-stable. Thus, these quasi-stable compositions almost exhibit pseudo-stable behavior, and will do so if modified as taught herein. As shown in some of the Examples set out below, these quasi-stable compositions can provide significant antimicrobial activity even though they do not undergo phase-splitting during use.

[0023] For simplicity, the remainder of this specification will discuss compositions that upon standing will form clear one-phase mixtures, cloudy two-phase dispersions or phase-splitting two-phase mixtures, it being understood that compositions forming three or more phases upon standing could be employed if desired.

[0024] The compositions of the invention can be formulated and sold for use as is, or as solvent concentrates. If desired, such concentrates can be used full-strength as antimicrobial agents. However, the concentrates typically will be diluted with a fluid (e.g., water) that subsequently forms the dilute phase. Preferably, the concentrate forms a single phase before such dilution and remains so while stored in the container in which it will be sold. When combined with water or other desired diluting fluid at an appropriate dilution level and subjected to mild agitation (e.g., by stirring or pumping the composition), some compositions of the invention will form a pseudo-stable dispersion, and other compositions of the invention will form a clear or quasi-stable solution or dispersion. If a pseudo-stable composition is formed, then the composition preferably remains in the pseudo-stable state for a sufficiently long period so that the composition can be applied to a surface before the onset of phase separation. The pseudo-stable state need only last for a few seconds when suitably rapid application techniques such as spraying are employed, or when agitation during application is employed. The pseudo-stable state desirably lasts for at least one minute or more after mixing and while the composition is stored in a suitable vessel, and preferably lasts for five minutes or more after mixing. Often normal refilling or replenishment of the applicator (e.g., by dipping the applicator in the composition) will provide sufficient agitation to preserve the pseudo-stable state of the composition during application.

[0025] Some of the highest observed levels of antimicrobial activity have been observed using pseudo-stable antimicrobial compositions of he invention. However, very high levels have also been observed for some clear or quasi-stable antimicrobial compositions of the invention. For some applications these clear or quasi-stable antimicrobial compositions solutions or dispersions will be preferred, as they require little or no mixing before or during use, and have a reduced tendency to separate during storage.

[0026] A variety of fluids can be used as the diluting solvent, including water in its liquid form; steam; condensed gases and other supercritical fluids (e.g., CO₂); perchloroethylene; oils such as silicone oils (e.g., siloxanes), gear oils, transaxle oils, mineral oils or vegetable oils; and carboxylic esters such as methyl soyate. Mixtures of diluting solvents can be used if desired. Especially useful oils include food grade or food-derived oils, flavorings, or fragrance oils. Preferably, the diluting solvent consists essentially of or consists of water in its liquid form. The remainder of this specification will primarily discuss the use of water in its liquid form as the diluting solvent, it being understood that other suitable fluids could be added to or substituted for water in its liquid form if desired.

[0027] The compositions of the invention can contain a variety of antimicrobially-active solvents. The antimicrobially-active solvent preferably is insoluble, or only sparingly soluble, in the diluting solvent. Thus for compositions containing water as the diluting solvent, and for concentrates intended to be diluted with water, the antimicrobially-active solvent preferably will have a water solubility less than about 5 wt. %, more preferably less than about 3 wt. %, and most preferably less than about 2 wt. %.

[0028] In general, the antimicrobially-active solvent is selected based upon the characteristics of the surface and microbes to which the antimicrobial composition will be applied and upon the nature of any coating, soil or other material that will be contacted by the antimicrobial composition and optionally removed from the surface. Polar solvents, and solvents that are capable of hydrogen bonding typically will perform well on a variety of surfaces and microbes and thus are preferred. Preferably, the antimicrobially-active solvent also has a high flashpoint (e.g., greater than about 30° C., more preferably greater than about 50° C., and most preferably greater than about 100° C.), low odor and low human and animal toxicity. Most preferably the antimicrobially-active solvent is a food-grade or cosmetic or flavorant additive.

[0029] Preferred antimicrobially-active solvents having a density different from that of water (and thus especially useful in compositions that will be diluted with water and applied atop horizontal or generally horizontal surfaces) include acetamidophenol (specific gravity 1.027); acetanilide (specific gravity 1.219; water solubility <1%); acetophenone (specific gravity 1.0238; water solubility <1%); [2-acetyl-1-methylpyrrole (specific gravity 1.04); benzyl acetate (specific gravity 1.0515; water solubility <1%); benzyl alcohol (specific gravity 1.0413; water solubility ˜4%); benzyl benzoate (specific gravity 1.118; water solubility <1%); benzyloxyethanol (specific gravity 1.07; water solubility <1%); ethers or hydroxyethers such as ethylene glycol phenyl ether (specific gravity 1.104; water solubility 2.3%; commercially available as DOWANOL EPH™ from Dow Chemical Co.) and propylene glycol phenyl ether (specific gravity 1.063; water solubility 1.1%; commercially available as DOWANOL PPH™ from Dow Chemical Co.); essential oils (e.g., benzaldehyde, pinenes (alphas, betas, etc.), terpineols, terpinenes, carvone, cinnamealdehyde, borneol and its esters, citrals, ionenes, jasmine oil, limonene, dipentene, linalool and its esters); dibasic esters such as dimethyl adipate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate (often available in a mix with specific gravities greater than 1.00; including products available under the trade designations DBE, DBE-3, DBE-4, DBE-5, DBE-6, DBE-9, DBE-IB, and DBE-ME from DuPont Nylon), dimethyl malonate, diethyl adipate, diethyl succinate, diethyl glutarate, dibutyl succinate, and dibutyl glutarate; dialkyl carbonates such as dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dipropyl carbonate, diisopropyl carbonate, and dibutyl carbonate; C₁₋₁₆ protonated carboxylic acids such as 2-ethyl-1-hexanoic acid, butyric acid, octanoic acid, heptanoic acid, nonanoic acid, and decanoic acid; C₁₋₁₂ organic anhydrides such as acetic anhydride, succinic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, maleic anhydride, and alkyl or alkenyl succinic anhydrides; organo-nitriles such as acetonitrile and benzonitrile; organo-phosphates and phosphonates such as tributyl phosphate, tripropyl phosphate, 2-ethyl-1-hexyl phosphate; and phthalate esters such as dibutyl phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate, and diethyl phthalate. The water solubilities noted above are room temperature values. Benzyl alcohol, phenylethanol, essential oils, dibasic esters, dialkyl carbonates, ethylene glycol phenyl ether and propylene glycol phenyl ether are particularly preferred antimicrobially-active solvents. Mixtures of antimicrobially-active solvents can be used if desired.

[0030] The compositions of the invention should contain sufficient antimicrobially-active solvent to provide the desired rate and type of microbial reduction. Usually, antimicrobial concentrates of the invention will contain at least about 5 wt. % antimicrobially-active solvent, preferably at least about 25 wt. % antimicrobially-active solvent, more preferably at least about 65 wt. % antimicrobially-active solvent, and most preferably about 75 to about 95 wt. % antimicrobially-active solvent.

[0031] The compositions of the invention can contain one or more cosolvents or surfactants to assist in providing pseudo-stable or quasi-stable behavior. In general, cosolvents or surfactants that are present at concentrations below those at which single-phase coupling arises, or cosolvents or surfactants that are relatively inefficient or ineffective (with respect to their ability completely to solubilize or disperse the antimicrobially-active solvent in the diluting solvent and form a single-phase system), are preferred over cosolvents or surfactants that are present at higher concentrations or are more efficient or effective. This differs from the approach normally taken when formulating compositions containing cosolvents or surfactants. Normally, cosolvents and surfactants are selected for their ability to promote formation of stable single-phase solutions, microemulsions, or dispersions.

[0032] A variety of cosolvents can be employed. In general, the cosolvent is selected based upon the characteristics of the chosen antimicrobially-active solvent and the solubility of the chosen antimicrobially-active solvent in the diluting solvent. For compositions in which water serves as the diluting solvent, the cosolvent generally will have higher water solubility than the water solubility of the chosen solvent. Preferably, the cosolvent has a high flashpoint (e.g., greater than about 30° C., more preferably greater than about 50° C., and most preferably greater than about 100° C.), low odor and low human and animal toxicity.

[0033] Preferred cosolvents include 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, amyl acetate, amyl alcohol, butanol, 3-butoxyethyl-2-propanol, butyl acetate, n-butyl propionate, cyclohexanone, diacetone alcohol, diethoxyethanol, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diisobutyl carbinol, diisobutyl ketone, dimethyl heptanol, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol tert-butyl ether, ethanol, ethyl acetate, 2-ethylhexanol, ethyl propionate, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, hexanol, isobutanol, isobutyl acetate, isobutyl heptyl ketone, isophorone, isopropanol, isopropyl acetate, methanol, methyl amyl alcohol, methyl n-amyl ketone, 2-methyl-1-butanol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, 1-pentanol, n-pentyl propionate, 1-propanol, n-propyl acetate, n-propyl propionate, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether and tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether. Ethylene glycol butyl ether and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether are particularly preferred cosolvents. Mixtures of cosolvents can be used if desired.

[0034] Commercially available cosolvents (all of which are available from Union Carbide Corp.) include Butoxyethyl PROPASOL™, Butyl CARBITOL™ acetate, Butyl CARBITOL™, Butyl CELLOSOLVE™ acetate, Butyl CELLOSOLVE™, Butyl DIPROPASOL™, Butyl PROPASOL™, CARBITOL™ PM-600, CARBITOL™ Low Gravity, CELLOSOLVE™ acetate, CELLOSOLVE™, Ester EEP™, FILMER IBT™, Hexyl CARBITO™, Hexyl CELLOSOLVE™, Methyl CARBITOL™, Methyl CELLOSOLVE™ acetate, Methyl CELLOSOLVE™, Methyl DIPROPASOL™, Methyl PROPASOL™ acetate, Methyl PROPASOL™, Propyl CARBITOL™, Propyl CELLOSOLVE™, Propyl DIPROPASOL™ and Propyl PROPASOL™.

[0035] The compositions of the invention preferably should not contain excessive cosolvent, as the use of an excess of cosolvent will tend to cause formation of an antimicrobially inert single-phase solution or microemulsion. Instead, the amount of cosolvent preferably is just sufficient to provide the desired level of antimicrobial activity. Larger amounts of cosolvent may diminish the antimicrobial effectiveness of the compositions of the invention. Usually, antimicrobial concentrates of the invention will contain 0 to about 50 wt. % cosolvent, more preferably 0 to about 25 wt. % cosolvent, and most preferably 0 to about 20 wt. % cosolvent.

[0036] A variety of surfactants can be employed. In general, the surfactant identity and use level is selected based upon the characteristics of the chosen antimicrobially-active solvent and the solubility of the chosen antimicrobially-active solvent in the diluting solvent. For compositions in which water serves as the diluting solvent, the surfactant preferably will have an HLB value greater than or equal to about 13, or less than or equal to about 6. This value reflects the above-noted preference in the present invention for employing surfactants that are relatively inefficient or ineffective as emulsifiers. Preferably, the surfactant does not tend to cause formation of insoluble deposits, and has low odor and low toxicity. Mixtures of surfactants can be used if desired.

[0037] Preferred anionic surfactants include C₆-C₂₄ alkylbenzene sulfonates; C₆-C₂₄ olefin sulfonates; C₆-C₂₄ paraffin sulfonates; cumene sulfonate; xylene sulfonate; C₆-C₂₄ alkyl naphthalene sulfonates; C₆-C₂₄ alkyl or dialkyl diphenyl ether sulfonates or disulfonates, C₄-C₂₄ mono or dialkyl sulfosuccinates; sulfonated or sulfated fatty acids; C₆-C₂₄ alcohol sulfates (preferably C₆-C₁₂ alcohol sulfates); C₆-C₂₄ alcohol ether sulfates having 1 to about 20 ethylene oxide groups; and C₄-C₂₄ alkyl, aryl or alkaryl phosphate esters or their alkoxylated analogues having 1 to about 40 ethylene, propylene or butylene oxide units or mixtures thereof.

[0038] Preferred nonionic surfactants include C₆-C₂₄ alcohol ethoxylates (preferably C₆-C₁₄ alcohol ethoxylates) having 1 to about 20 ethylene oxide groups (preferably about 9 to about 20 ethylene oxide groups); C₆-C₂₄ alkylphenol ethoxylates (preferably C₈-C₁₀ alkylphenol ethoxylates) having 1 to about 100 ethylene oxide groups (preferably about 12 to about 20 ethylene oxide groups); C₆-C₂₄ alkylpolyglycosides (preferably C₆-C₂₀ alkylpolyglycosides) having 1 to about 20 glycoside groups (preferably about 9 to about 20 glycoside groups); C₆-C₂₄ fatty acid ester ethoxylates, propoxylates or glycerides; and C₄-C₂₄ mono or di alkanolamides.

[0039] Preferred cationic surfactants include quaternary amine compounds having the formula:

[0040] where R, R′, R″ and R′″ are each a C₁-C₂₄ alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group that can optionally contain one or more P, O, S or N heteroatoms, and X is F, Cl, Br, I or an alkyl sulfate.

[0041] Preferred amphoteric surfactants include amine oxide compounds having the formula:

[0042] where R, R′, R′ and R′″ are each a C₁-C₂₄ alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group that can optionally contain one or more P, O, S or N heteroatoms.

[0043] Another class of preferred amphoteric surfactants includes betaine compounds having the formula:

[0044] where R, R′, R″ and R′″ are each a C₁-C₂₄ alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group that can optionally contain one or more P, O, S or N heteroatoms, and n is about 1 to about 10.

[0045] The antimicrobial compositions of the invention should not contain excessive amounts of surfactant, lest an antimicrobially inactive single-phase solution or microemulsion be formed. Instead, the amount of surfactant should be just sufficient to provide the desired level of antimicrobial activity. Larger amounts of surfactant may diminish the antimicrobial effectiveness of the compositions of the invention. Usually, the solvent concentrates of the invention will contain no more than about 10 wt. % surfactant, more preferably 0 to about 3 wt. % surfactant and most preferably 0 to about 1 wt. % surfactant. Most preferably, the concentrates are substantially surfactant-free.

[0046] The antimicrobial compositions of the invention preferably contain an additional antimicrobial agent. This additional antimicrobial agent can be dissolved or dispersed in the antimicrobially-active solvent or in the diluting solvent. Desirably, the additional antimicrobial agent will preferentially dissolve or disperse in the antimicrobially-active solvent rather than in the diluting solvent. Suitable additional antimicrobial agents include carboxylic acids, diacids, or triacids (e.g., butyric acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, salycic acid, mandelic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, glutaric acid, EDTA and citric acid), carboxylic esters (e.g., p-hydroxy alkyl benzoates and alkyl cinnamates), sulfonic acids (e.g., dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid), iodo-compounds or active halogen compounds (e.g., iodine, interhalides, polyhalides, metal hypochlorites, hypochlorous acid, metal hypbromites, hypobromous acid, chloro- and bromo-hydantoins, chlorine dioxide and sodium chlorite), active oxygen compounds including hydrogen peroxide, isolated or equilibrium derived or isolated peracids such as chloroperbenzoic acids, peracetic acid, perheptanoic acid, peroctanoic acid, perdecanoic acid, performic acid, percitric acid, perglycolic acid, perlactic acid, perbenzoic acid, and monoester peracids derived from diacids or diesters (e.g., such as adipic, succinic, glutaric, or malonic acid and mixtures thereof), organic peroxides including benzoyl peroxide, alkyl benzoyl peroxides, ozone, singlet oxygen generators, and mixtures thereof, phenolic derivatives (e.g., o-phenyl phenol, o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol, tert-amyl phenol and C₁-C₆ alkyl hydroxy benzoates), quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride and mixtures thereof), and mixtures of such antimicrobial agents, in an amount sufficient to provide the desired degree of microbial protection. Most of the aforementioned additional antimicrobial agents having about 1-6 carbons, or an ionic charge, would be mostly soluble in the diluting solvent; those with higher carbon numbers would generally be more soluble in the antimicrobially-active solvent. In either case, for a pseudo-stable antimicrobial composition it is preferred to use additional antimicrobial agents that can be drawn into the solvent phase or onto surfaces during phase separation.

[0047] Compositions of the invention containing such optional additional antimicrobial agents appear to have substantially greater antimicrobial effectiveness than comparison aqueous solutions or dispersions containing the additional antimicrobial agent alone. If present in the antimicrobial concentrates of the invention, the additional antimicrobial agent preferably is about 0.01 to about 30 wt. % of the concentrate, more preferably about 0.05 to about 10 wt. % and most preferably about 0.1 to about 5 wt. %.

[0048] If desired, the antimicrobial compositions of the invention can contain various adjuvants such as chelants, builders, thickeners, fragrances, dyes, pH adjusters, anticorrosion additives, antirust additives and indicators. The types and amounts of such adjuvants will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0049] The compositions of the invention can be formulated to include the diluting solvent (e.g., water) as sold, or the diluting solvent can be added at any time up to the time of use. Preferably, the concentrates of the invention contain little or no diluting solvent as sold. A variety of dilution ratios can be employed, so long as the diluted composition exhibits the desired antimicrobial behavior when applied to the target microbes. The ingredients in the concentrate can represent about 1 to about 99 wt. % of the diluted mixture, more preferably about 5 to about 50 wt. %, and most preferably about 6 to about 25 wt. %. The diluted antimicrobial compositions preferably contain about 0.01 to about 50 wt. % of the antimicrobially-active solvent, with concentrations of about 0.1 to 10 wt. % being more preferred and concentrations of about 0.5 to about 5 wt. % being most preferred. As a further guide, the diluted composition preferably contains antimicrobially-active solvent in an amount near the solubility limit of the antimicrobially-active solvent in the diluting solvent. In addition, the diluted antimicrobial compositions preferably are aqueous, contain additional antimicrobial agent, and are clear or quasi-stable.

[0050] The compositions of the invention can be sold in the form of a kit containing the composition together with suitable directions for carrying out the method of the invention. Such directions typically will include recommended dilution ratios, applications, application techniques and safety warnings.

[0051] Although no longer commercially available, an aqueous floor stripping agent concentrate previously sold in Canada as Fuller Formula 3100™ Super Concentrate (Fuller Brush, Quebec) could be used as an antimicrobial composition of the invention. However, to do so the concentrate should be diluted at a ratio not recommended in the product instructions. Fuller Formula 3100™ Super Concentrate is believed to have contained about 49 wt. % benzyl alcohol, 17 wt. % monoethanolamine, 10 wt. % sodium decyldiphenyl ether disulfonate and 24 wt. % water. Dilution of the concentrate at a 1:20 concentrate:water ratio was recommended on the product instructions. At that dilution ratio, the resulting mixture formed a stable single-phase solution. However, if diluted at a sufficiently larger concentrate:water ratio, the resulting mixture forms a quasi-stable or pseudo-stable composition. For example, at a 1:10 concentrate:water ratio, the composition is pseudo-stable and will undergo phase splitting when applied to a substrate and allowed to stand for a few minutes.

[0052] The antimicrobial compositions of the invention can be used for a variety of domestic or industrial applications, e.g., to reduce microbial or viral populations on a surface or object or in a body or stream of water. The compositions can be applied in a variety of areas including kitchens, bathrooms, factories, hospitals, dental offices and food plants, and can be applied to a variety of hard or soft surfaces having smooth, irregular or porous topography. Suitable hard surfaces include, for example, architectural surfaces (e.g., floors, walls, windows, sinks, tables, counters and signs); eating utensils; hard-surface medical or surgical instruments and devices; and hard-surface packaging. Such hard surfaces can be made from a variety of materials comprising, for example, ceramic, metal, glass, wood or hard plastic. Suitable soft surfaces include, for example paper; filter media, hospital and surgical linens and garments; soft-surface medical or surgical instruments and devices; and soft-surface packaging. Such soft surfaces can be made from a variety of materials comprising, for example, paper, fiber, woven or nonwoven fabric, soft plastics and elastomers. The compositions of the invention can also be applied to soft surfaces such as food and skin. The compositions are also suitable for application to growing or harvested plant material including leaves, stems, tubers, roots, seeds, and the like.

[0053] The antimicrobial compositions of the invention can be included in products such as sterilants, sanitizers, disinfectants, preservatives, deodorizers, antiseptics, fungicides, germicides, sporicides, virucides, detergents, bleaches, hard surface cleaners, hand soaps and pre- or post-surgical scrubs. The compositions have particular utility as cold or hot aseptic packaging treatments. The antimicrobial compositions can also be used in veterinary products such as mammalian skin treatments or in products for sanitizing or disinfecting animal enclosures, pens, watering stations, and veterinary treatment areas such as inspection tables and operation rooms.

[0054] The antimicrobial compositions of the invention can be used for treating skin diseases on animals (especially mammals), or those which spread via transfer to air or surface substrates, such as disease from fungi, molds, bacteria spores and viruses. These spreadable skin diseases include athletes foot fungus and hairy hoof wart disease, and the many organisms leading to Mastitis and other mammalian milking diseases. The disease can be a viral disease such as parvovirus, coxsackie virus, or herpes virus. The disease can also be bacterial, such as S. aureus, E. coli, Streptococci, etc., or a Mycobacterium type such as that leading to tuberculosis. The compositions may also be used to treat animal carcasses to reduce both pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbial levels.

[0055] The antimicrobial compositions can also be used on foods and plant species to reduce surface microbial populations; used at manufacturing or processing sites handling such foods and plant species; or used to treat process waters around such sites. For example, the compositions can be used on food transport lines (e.g., as belt sprays); boot and hand-wash dip-pans; food storage facilities; anti-spoilage air circulation systems; refrigeration and cooler equipment; beverage chillers and warmers, blanchers, cutting boards, third sink areas, and meat chillers or scalding devices. The compositions of the invention can be used to treat produce transport waters such as those found in flumes, pipe transports, cutters, slicers, blanchers, retort systems, washers, and the like.

[0056] The antimicrobial compositions have particular value for use on food packaging materials and equipment, and especially for cold or hot aseptic packaging. The compositions can also be used on or in ware wash machines, dishware, bottle washers, bottle chillers, warmers, third sink washers, cutting areas (e.g., water knives, slicers, cutters and saws) and egg washers. Particular foodstuffs that can be treated with compositions of the invention include eggs, meats, seeds, leaves, fruits and vegetables. Particular plant surfaces include both harvested and growing leaves, roots, seeds, skins or shells, stems, stalks, tubers, corms, fruit, and the like. Particular treatable surfaces include packaging such as cartons, bottles, films and resins; dish ware such as glasses, plates, utensils, pots and pans; ware wash machines; exposed food preparation area surfaces such as sinks, counters, tables, floors and walls; processing equipment such as tanks, vats, lines, pumps and hoses (e.g., dairy processing equipment for processing milk, cheese, ice cream and other dairy products); and transportation vehicles.

[0057] The antimicrobial compositions can also be used on or in other industrial equipment and in other industrial process streams such as heaters, cooling towers, boilers, retort waters, rinse waters, aseptic packaging wash waters, and the like. The compositions can be used to treat microbes and odors in recreational waters such as in pools, spas, recreational flumes and water slides, fountains, and the like.

[0058] The antimicrobial compositions can also be used to reduce microbial and viral counts in air and liquids by incorporation into filtering media or breathing filters, e.g., to remove water and air-born pathogens such as Legionella.

[0059] Other hard surface cleaning applications for the antimicrobial compositions of the invention include clean-in-place systems (CIP), clean-out-of-place systems (COP), washer-decontaminators, sterilizers, textile laundry machines, ultra and nano-filtration systems and indoor air filters. COP systems can include readily accessible systems including wash tanks, soaking vessels, mop buckets, holding tanks, scrub sinks, vehicle parts washers, non-continuous batch washers and systems, and the like. CIP systems include a variety of devices that will be familiar to those skilled in the art, and will typically employ flow rates on the order of about 40 to about 600 liters per minute, temperatures from ambient up to about 70° C., and contact times of at least about 10 seconds, more preferably about 30 to about 120 seconds.

[0060] The antimicrobial compositions can be applied to microbes or to soiled or cleaned surfaces using a variety of methods. For example, the antimicrobial composition can be sprayed or wiped onto a surface; the composition can be caused to flow over the surface, or the surface can be dipped into the composition. The compositions can be formulated as liquids, gels, aerosols, waxes, solids, or powders. If steam or another gaseous diluting solvent is employed, then the compositions can be formulated to be applied in a gaseous state.

[0061] The invention is further illustrated in the following non-limiting examples, in which all parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated. In the examples the following procedures were employed:

EXAMPLE 1

[0062] Several compositions were evaluated by comparing them against a commercially available aseptic bottle washing biocide based on mixed peracids (MATRIXX™; Ecolab). Compositions containing only 1000 ppm or 2000 ppm of a single peracid or mixed peracids were used as controls. The remaining compositions were prepared by adding 10% of various solvents to an aqueous solution containing 1000 ppm or 2000 ppm of the mixed peracids. Non-solubilizing amounts of anionic surfactants were added to some of the compositions to affect minimal coupling and to yield, in some cases, pseudo-stable behavior and at least a partial phase-splitting condition. Addition of such non-stabilizing amounts tended to provide partial coupling and improved antimicrobial solution stability but not necessarily improved microbial control.

[0063] The compositions and controls were evaluated for antimicrobial activity using the procedure set out in set out in Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants, Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, paragraph 960.09 and applicable sections, 15th Edition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2), using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. against the mold Chaetomium funicola (C. funicola). This brief contact time presented an especially challenging test, as evidenced by low observed log order reduction values for the controls.

[0064] Set out below in Table I are the run number, solvent, solvent description (in terms of its water solubility), peracid concentration, anionic surfactant concentration, appearance of the mixtures, after they had been allowed to stand for one minute, and observed log order reduction for C. funicola. The solvent description classified the solvents as highly soluble (>60% solubility in water), partially soluble (˜20-60%), or sparingly soluble (<20%). TABLE I Anionic Run Solvent Peracid Surfactant C. funicola No. Solvent Description Concentration Concentration Appearance Log Reduction 1-1 None None 2000 ppm¹ 0.0% clear 0.1 1-2 None None 1000 ppm² 0.26% clear 0.05 1-3 None None 2000 ppm² 0.52% clear 0.1 1-4 Glycolic acid highly soluble 2000 ppm² 0.62% clear 0.2 1-5 Dimethyl sulfoxide highly soluble 2000 ppm² 0.62% clear 0.3 1-6 Hydrocarbon diol³ partially soluble 2000 ppm² 0.62% slightly cloudy 0.4 1-7 Propylene carbonate partially soluble 2000 ppm² 0.62% slightly cloudy 1.6 1-8 Diester blend⁴ sparingly soluble 2000 ppm² 0.62% very cloudy 6.0 1-9 Diester blend⁴ sparingly soluble 2000 ppm¹ 0.0% very cloudy >4.4 1-10 Benzyl alcohol sparingly soluble 2000 ppm² 0.62% very cloudy 5.0 1-11 Benzyl alcohol sparingly soluble 2000 ppm¹ 0.0% very cloudy >4.7

[0065] The compositions containing partially soluble solvents (Run Nos. 1-6 and 1-7) exhibited some phase-splitting behavior. The compositions containing sparingly soluble solvents (Run Nos. 1-8 through 1-11) exhibited substantial phase-splitting behavior. The results in Table I demonstrate that the addition of partially soluble and sparingly soluble solvents provided a substantial improvement in the antimicrobial efficacy of a commercial aseptic wash product, as can be seen by comparing control Run Nos. 1-1 through 1-3 to Run Nos. 1-6 through 1-11. The improved performance of Run Nos. 1-8 through 1-11 was especially dramatic, in that the observed activity improvement was 5 or more orders of magnitude compared to control Run Nos. 1-1 through 1-3. Use of highly soluble solvents (Run Nos. 1-4 and 1-5) provided only a small improvement in antimicrobial efficacy.

EXAMPLE 2

[0066] Several antimicrobial compositions of the present invention were evaluated for biocidal control, using the method of Example 1, and compared to several commercial products and to formulations from several U.S. patents. The comparison compositions formed clear (single-phase) formulations when prepared according to instructions. The compositions of the invention formed pseudo-stable cloudy compositions that underwent phase splitting following application. All tested compositions were evaluated against the spore-forming, enterotoxin producing pathogens Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis and the mold C. funicola using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. Set out below in Table II are the run number, benzyl alcohol amount, amounts of additional ingredients, appearance of the mixtures, after they had been allowed to stand for one minute, and observed log order reduction for B. cereus, Bacillus subtilis and C. funicola for each composition. TABLE II Run Benzyl Alcohol B. cereus B. subtilis C. funicola No. Amount Additional Ingredient Amounts¹ Appearance Log Reduction Log Reduction Log Reduction 2-1 5.0% DBS² (0.1%) clear (1-phase) 0.2 0.0 >4.4 2-2 2.0% DBS² (0.1%) clear (1-phase) 0.1 — >4.4 2-3 2.0% DBS² (5.0%) clear (1-phase) 0.0 0.2 0.3 2-4 2.0% Nonionic surfactant³ (5.0%) clear (1-phase) 0.0 0.1 0.4 2-5 0.0% BUTYL CELLOSOLVE ™ (10.0%), DBS² (2.4%), clear (1-phase) 0.0 0.2 3.2 anhydrous sodium metasilicate (2.0%)⁴ 2-6 6.0% DBS² (1.3%), ammonium hydroxide 28% (0.2%), clear (1-phase) 0.0 0.1 >4.8 Na-octane-1-sulfonate 40% (1.0%),⁵ 2-7 4.0% Ethanol (10%)⁶ clear (1-phase) 0.05 0.1 4.6 2-8 2.0% Ethanol (10%)⁷ clear (1-phase) 0.1 — 4.7 2-9 4.0% Glycerine (10%), DBS (2%) + other chemicals⁸ clear (1-phase) 0.1 0.0 4.7 2-10 4.0% Peracid⁹ (0.1%), NAS¹⁰ (0.24%) cloudy (2-phase) >6.3 — >4.4 2-11 3.5% Peracid¹¹ (0.15%) cloudy (2-phase) >6.3 — >4.5 2-12 3.0% Peracid¹² (0.1%), NAS¹⁰ (0.24%) cloudy (2-phase) >6.3 >6.7 3.8 2-13 3.0% Peracid⁹ (0.1%), NAS¹⁰ (0.24%) cloudy (2-phase) >6.5 >6.7 4.0 2-14 3.0% Peracid¹³ (0.1%) cloudy (2-phase) >6.2 — 3.4 2-15 0.0% Diester blend¹⁴ (5%), peracid¹¹ (0.1%), LAS (0.1%) cloudy (2-phase) 5.0 — >4.4 2-16 0.0% Diester blend¹⁴ (5%), H₂O₂ (2.1%)¹⁵ cloudy (2-phase) — 2.9 >4.4 2-17 0.0% Diester blend¹⁴ (5%) H₂O₂ (2.1%)¹⁵ cloudy (2-phase) — >6.0 >4.4 2-18 0.0% Diester blend¹⁴ (5%) NaOCl (0.02%)¹⁶ cloudy (2-phase) 6.0 >6.1 >4.8 2-19 5.0% NaOCl (0.02%)¹⁶ cloudy (2-phase) — — >4.8 2-20 0.0% Diester blend¹⁴ (2.5%), NaOCl (0.025%)¹⁷ clear (1-phase) >6.0 >6.1 >3.4

[0067] Except as otherwise noted, the comparative compositions in Run Nos. 2-1 through 2-9 were prepared according to the listed examples of the cited patents or according to the mixing instructions of the cited commercial products. Each was found to yield a non-phase-splitting formulation. The compositions of the present invention in Run Nos. 2-10 through 2-19 yielded phase-splitting formulations that formed at least 2 phases. Run No. 2-20 yielded a pseudo-stable solution that was just slightly opaque but did not separate during the test time. The compositions of the invention exhibited significant antimicrobial efficacy against B. cereus, as well as broad-spectrum efficacy against B. subtilis and C. funicola. However, the composition of Run No. 2-19 underwent a chemical reaction and could not be employed at the desired active level against the Bacillus spores.

EXAMPLE 3

[0068] Using the method of Example 1, 5% portions of various sparingly soluble solvents were added to plain water or to commercial peracid bottle washing formulas (KX-6091, 15C, or VORTEXX™; Ecolab) and tested against the mold C. funicola using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. A non-emulsifying amount of the anionic surfactant sodium octene sulfonate was added to some of the compositions to slow down, but not prevent, phase-splitting. Set out below in Table III are the run number, solvent, peracid, peracid concentration, surfactant concentration, appearance of the mixtures after they had been allowed to stand for 1 minute, and observed log order reduction for C. funicola for each composition. TABLE III Run Peracid Surfactant C. funicola No. Solvent Peracid Concentration Concentration Appearance Log Reduction 3-1 None KX-6091¹ 2000 ppm 0 ppm clear (1-phase) 0.2 3-2 None 15C¹ 2000 ppm 2500 ppm clear (1-phase) 0.2 3-3 None VORTEXX¹ 2000 ppm 5960 ppm clear (1-phase) 0.1 3-4 Glycol solvents² KX-6091¹ 2000 ppm 0 ppm cloudy (2-phase) 1.3 3-5 Glycol solvents³ KX-6091¹ 2000 ppm 0 ppm cloudy (2-phase) 3.7 3-6 Glycol solvents⁴ KX-6091¹ 2000 ppm 0 ppm cloudy (2-phase) 3.2 3-7 Diester blend⁵ KX-6091¹ 2000 ppm 1000 ppm⁷ cloudy (2-phase) >4.4 3-8 Glycol solvents⁶ None 0 ppm 1000 ppm⁷ cloudy (2-phase) 2.8 3-9 Glycol solvents⁶ KX-6091¹ 1000 ppm 1000 ppm⁷ cloudy (2-phase) 4.3 3-10 Glycol solvents⁶ KX-6091¹ 2000 ppm 1000 ppm⁷ cloudy (2-phase) >4.4 3-11 2-ethyl-1-hexanol KX-6091¹ 2000 ppm 1000 ppm⁷ cloudy (2-phase) >4.2 3-12 Dipentene KX-6091¹ 2000 ppm 1000 ppm⁷ cloudy (2-phase) 2.7 3-13 Amyl acetate KX-6091¹ 2000 ppm 1000 ppm⁷ cloudy (2-phase) 3.3 3-14 Benzyl alcohol None 0 ppm 0 ppm cloudy (2-phase) >4.2 3-15 Benzyl alcohol KX-6091¹ 2000 ppm 0 ppm cloudy (2-phase) >4.2 3-16 Tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide⁷ 15C¹ 2000 ppm 2500 ppm cloudy (2-phase) 1.7 3-17 Phenoxyethanol 15C¹ 2000 ppm 2500 ppm cloudy (2-phase) 3.9 3-18 Phenoxyethanol VORTEXX¹ 2000 ppm 5960 ppm cloudy (2-phase) 4.8

[0069] The compositions in Run Nos. 3-3 to 3-18 exhibited phase-splitting. The results in Table III demonstrate that substantial improvements in antimicrobial efficacy could be obtained by modifying all three commercial aseptic wash products, as can be seen by comparing control Run No. 3-1 with Run Nos. 3-4 through 3-7, 3-9 through 3-13 and 3-15; control Run No. 3-2 with Run Nos. 3-16 and 3-17; and control Run No. 3-3 with Run No. 3-18. Run Nos. 3-8 and 3-14 exhibited significant antimicrobial efficacy without an additional antimicrobial agent. A composition containing both a sparingly soluble antimicrobially-active solvent and an additional antimicrobial agent exhibited a synergistic improvement in performance compared to the use of either the antimicrobially-active solvent or the additional antimicrobial agent alone, as can be seen by comparing Run No. 3-10 with Run Nos. 3-1 and 3-8.

EXAMPLE 4

[0070] Using the method of Example 2, varying amounts of several sparingly soluble solvents were added to commercial peracid bottle washing formulations (TSUNAMI-100™, MATRIXX™, or KX-6091; Ecolab) and tested against the mold C. funicola using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. The surfactant dodecylbenzene sulfonate (“DBS”) was added to some of the compositions to slow down, but not inhibit, phase-splitting. Set out below in Table IV are the run number, solvent, solvent concentration, peracid concentration, DBS concentration, appearance of the mixtures after they had been allowed to stand for 1 minute, and observed log order reduction for C. funicola for each composition. TABLE IV Solvent C. funicola Run No. Solvent (%) Peracid (ppm) DBS (ppm) Appearance Log Reduction 4-1 Benzyl alcohol 10% 2000¹ 1000 cloudy (2-phase) >4.4 4-2 Benzyl alcohol 10% 2000¹ 0 cloudy (2-phase) 3.9 4-3 Benzyl alcohol 5% 2000¹ 500 cloudy (2-phase) 4.1 4-4 Benzyl alcohol 1% 2000¹ 100 clear (1-phase) 0.1 4-5 None 0% 2000¹ 0 clear (1-phase) 0.1 4-6 Diester blend^(,4) 10% 2000² 1000 cloudy (2-phase) >4.4 4-7 Diester blend^(,4) 10% 2000² 0 cloudy (2-phase) >4.4 4-8 Diester blend^(,4) 5% 2000² 500 cloudy (2-phase) 4.2 4-9 Diester blend^(,4) 2.5% 1500² 0 hazy (2-phase) >4.4 4-10 Diester blend^(,4) 2.5% 1200² 0 hazy (2-phase) >4.4 4-11 Diester blend^(,4) 1% 2000² 100 hazy (2-phase) 1.2 4-12 None 0% 2000² 0 clear (1-phase) 0.2 4-13 Diester blend^(,2) 5% 1000³ 1000 cloudy (2-phase) >4.4 4-14 Diester blend^(,2) 4% 1000³ 0 cloudy (2-phase) >4.4 4-15 Diester blend^(,2) 3% 1000³ 0 cloudy (2-phase) 3.2 4-16 Diester blend^(,2) 2% 1000³ 0 hazy (2-phase) 3.1 4-17 Diester blend^(,2) 2.5% 1500⁷ 0 hazy (2-phase) >4.4 4-18 None 0% 1000³ 0 clear (1-phase) 0.05 4-19 Solvent Mixture⁵ 5% 2000¹ 0 cloudy (2-phase) 3.6 4-20 Solvent Mixture⁵ 1% 2000¹ 0 clear (1-phase) 0.6 4-21 Phenoxyethanol 5.0% 2000³ 0 cloudy (2-phase) 4.8 4-22 Phenoxyethanol 5.0% 2000⁶ 0 cloudy (2-phase) 3.9 4-23 Phenoxyethanol 2.5% 1200⁶ 0 hazy (2-phase) 3.0 4-24 Phenoxyethanol 2.5% 1500⁶ 0 hazy (2-phase) >4.0 4-25 Phenylethanol 3.0% 2000⁶ 0 cloudy (2-phase) >4.5 4-26 Tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide, pH = 3.7 5.0% 2000⁶ 0 cloudy (2-phase) >4.5

[0071] For each of the antimicrobial compositions in Table IV, significant antimicrobial efficacy was obtained near, or just above, the solubility limit of the antimicrobially-active solvent in the diluting solvent. The results in Table IV show that substantial improvements in antimicrobial efficacy were obtained by modifying the commercial aseptic wash products, as can be seen by comparing control Run No. 4-5 with Run Nos. 4-1 through 4-3 and 4-19; control Run No. 4-12 with Run Nos. 4-6 through 4-11 and 4-22; and control Run No. 4-18 with Run Nos. 4-13 through 4-17. Compositions with and without added surfactant (DBS) exhibited increased antimicrobial activity, as can be seen, for example, from Run Nos. 4-1 through 4-3 and 4-6 through 4-11. Compositions containing mixtures of antimicrobially-active solvents are shown in Run Nos. 4-19 and 4-20.

EXAMPLE 5

[0072] Using the method of Example 2, varying amounts of benzyl alcohol were added to commercial peracid bottle washing formulations (KX-6091, 15C, TSUNAMI-100™, and VORTEXX™; Ecolab) and tested against the spore-forming, enterotoxin producing pathogen acillus cereus and the mold C. funicola using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. Set out below in Table V are the run number, solvent, solvent concentration, peracid concentration, appearance of the mixtures after they had been allowed to stand for 1 minute, and the observed log order reduction for Bacillus cereus and C. funicola for each composition. TABLE V Run Solvent Log Reduction No. Solvent (%) Peracid¹ (ppm) Appearance B. Cereus C. funicola 5-1 None 0% 1000¹ clear 1.2 0.1 5-2 None 0% 2000¹ clear 6.2 0.2 5-3 None 0% 2000² clear — 0.1 5-4 None 0% 2000³ clear 0.2 0.2 5-5 None 0% 2000⁴ clear 0.1 0.1 5-6 Benzyl alcohol 10% 0 very cloudy⁵ — >4.4 5-7 Benzyl alcohol 10% 1000¹ very cloudy⁵ — >4.4 5-8 Benzyl alcohol 4.5% 0 very cloudy⁵ 0.1 >4.4 5-9 Benzyl alcohol 4.5% 1000¹ very cloudy⁵ 6.3 >4.4 5-10 Benzyl alcohol 4.0% 0 very cloudy⁶ — >4.4 5-11 Benzyl alcohol 4.0% 1000¹ very cloudy⁶ 3.6 >4.4 5-12 Benzyl alcohol 4.0% 1000³ very cloudy⁶ 4.8 >4.4 5-13 Benzyl alcohol 3.5% 0 opaque⁶ — 4.2 5-14 Benzyl alcohol 3.5% 1000¹ opaque⁶ 1.8 >4.4 5-15 Benzyl alcohol 3.5% 1000² + 1500² clear >6.3 >4.4> 5-16 Benzyl alcohol 3.5% 2000² clear >6.3 4.5 5-17 Benzyl alcohol 3.5% 1500³ clear >6.3 >4.5 5-18 Benzyl alcohol 3.5% 0 cloudy⁵ 3.4 2.6 5-19 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% 1000¹ clear — 2.7 5-20 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% 1000² clear >6.5 3.8 5-21 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% 2000² clear >6.3 >4.7 5-22 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% 2500² clear >6.3 >4.5 5-23 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% 1500² clear >6.3 >4.5 5-24 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% 1000³ clear >6.5 4.3 5-25 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% 1000⁴ cloudy⁵ >6.5 4.0 5-26 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% 1000¹ hazy >6.2 4.0 5-27 Benzyl alcohol 2.5% 1000³ clear 6.4 4.2 5-28 Benzyl alcohol 2.5% 1000¹ cloudy⁵ 3.0 4.0 5-29 Benzyl alcohol 2.0% 1000³ clear 4.3 2.3 5-30 Benzyl alcohol 2.0% 1000² cloudy⁵ 4.7 4.0 5-31 Benzyl alcohol 2.0% 1000¹ clear 3.7 3.8 5-32 Benzyl alcohol 1.5% 1000³ clear 5.9 1.2 5-33 Benzyl alcohol 1.5% 0 cloudy⁵ 0.05 0.2

[0073] The results in Table V show substantial enhancement in antimicrobial efficacy for compositions both above and below the water solubility limit (as evidenced visually by solution clarity) of the antimicrobially-active solvent in the diluting solvent. Significant antimicrobial efficacy was also obtained against both organisms using some clear solutions (see, e.g., Run Nos. 5-15 through 5-17, 5-20 through 5-24, 5-27, 5-29, 5-31 and 5-32).

EXAMPLE 6

[0074] Aqueous mixtures containing 3% or 1% benzyl alcohol solvent and 2000 ppm or 1000 ppm of a commercial peracid bottle washing formulation (KX-6091 or VORTEXX™;

[0075] Ecolab) were prepared. A surfactant was added to some of the mixtures. The mixtures were tested against the mold C. funicola using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. Set out below in Table VI are the run number, solvent concentration, peracid, surfactant, appearance of the mixtures after they had been allowed to stand for 1 minute , and the observed log order reduction for C. funicola for each composition. TABLE VI C. funicola Run Solvent, Peracid Log No. % (ppm) Surfactant Appearance Reduction 6-1 (3%) 2000 ppm¹ None cloudy, phase separating 3.4 6-2 (3%) 2000 ppm¹ mixed² clear, 1-phase 0.2 microemulsion 6-3 (1%) 1000 ppm³ None clear, 1-phase 0.2 6-4 (1%) 1000 ppm³ LAS-MIPA⁴ cloudy, phase separating 2.8

[0076] The results in Table VI show that completely emulsifying the solvent system into a single phase using a surfactant can reduce antimicrobial efficacy, as can be seen by comparing Run Nos. 6-1 and 6-2. Conversely, use of a surfactant that can partially solubilize (or even destabilize) the composition can improve antimicrobial efficacy, as can be seen by comparing Run Nos. 6-3 and 6-4.

EXAMPLE 7

[0077] Using the method of Example 2, varying amounts of sparingly soluble solvent blends were added to a peracid bottle washing formulation (15C; Ecolab) and tested against spores of Bacillus subtilis and the mold C. funicola using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. Set out below in Table VII are the run number, solvents, solvent concentrations, peracid concentration, appearance of the mixtures after they had been allowed to stand for 1 minute, and the observed log order reduction for Bacillus cereus and C. funicola for each composition. TABLE VII Run Solvent Peracid² Log Reduction No. Solvent(s) (%) (ppm) Appearance B. subtilis C. funicola 7-1 Diester blend^(,2) 2.5% 1500 hazy >6.5 >4.4 7-2 Benzyl alcohol 3.5% 1000 hazy 6.1 5.2 7-3 Diester blend^(,2)/benzyl 1.5/1.0% 0 clear 0 >4.4 alcohol 7-4 Diester blend^(,2)/benzyl 1.0/1.5% 0 clear 0 >4.4 alcohol 7-5 Diester blend^(,2)/benzyl 1.0/1.5% 1500 clear >6.0 >4.4 alcohol 7-6 Diester blend^(,2)/benzyl 1.5/1.0% 1500 clear >6.0 >4.4 alcohol

[0078] The results in Table VII show substantial enhancement in antimicrobial efficacy for compositions both above and below the water solubility limit (as evidenced visually by solution clarity) of the antimicrobially-active solvent. Most notable are the blended solvent systems shown in Run Nos. 7-5 and 7-6, which utilized each solvent below its solubility limit and a peracid, and provided significant broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy using clear solutions.

EXAMPLE 8

[0079] Using the method of Example 2, a sparingly soluble solvent was added to various additional antimicrobial agents and tested against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, C. funicola and N. fisheri using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. Set out below in Table VIII are the run number, solvent and antimicrobial agent employed, solvent amount, antimicrobial agent amount, and the observed log order reduction for Bacillus cereus, Bacillus cereus, C. funicola, or N. fisheri for each composition. TABLE VIII Run Solvent + Additional Solvent Additional Log Reduction No. Antimicrobial Agent(s) Amount Agent Amount B. cereus B. subtilis C. funicola N. fisheri 8-1 Diester blend^(,1) + NaOCl⁵ 2.5% 200 ppm >6.3 >6.0 >4.4 >4.6 8-2 Diester blend^(,1) + NaOCl⁵ 2.5% 400 ppm — >6.0 >4.4 — 8-3² Diester blend^(,1) + H₂O₂ 5.0% 2.1% — 2.9 >4.4 2.1 8-4² Diester blend^(,1) + H₂O₂ 5.0% .2% — >6.0 >4.4 — 8-5 Diester blend^(,1) + 2.5% 800 + 1500 ppm — — >4.8 — C₈FA³ + POAA⁴ 8-6 Diester blend^(,1) 1.5% 0 — — 0.2 — 8-7 C₈FA³ 800 ppm 0 — — 0.2 — 8-8 POAA⁴ 1500 ppm 0 — — 0.2 —

[0080] The results in Table VIII illustrate use of various combinations of solvents and additional antimicrobial agents in the present invention. The mixture shown in Run No. 8-5 gave an especially synergistic result compared to the three control compositions of Run Nos. 8-6 through 8-8.

EXAMPLE 9

[0081] Using the method of Example 2, a composition was tested against the spore Bacillus cereus and the mold C. funicola using a 120 second contact time at 40° C. These experiments were run in order to determine the antimicrobial effectiveness of a composition of the present invention at a lower treatment temperature. Set out below in Table IX are the run number, solvent and additional antimicrobial agent, solvent amount, additional antimicrobial agent amount, and the observed log order reduction for Bacillus cereus and C. funicola for each composition. TABLE IX Run Solvent + Additional Solvent Log Reduction No. Antimicrobial Agent (%) Additional Agent Amount B. cereus C. funicola 9-1 Diester blend^(,1) + NaOCl 2.5% 200 ppm >6.3 3.2 9-2² Diester blend^(,1) + H₂O₂ 3.0% 0.84% >6.3 1.0 9-3² Diester blend^(,1) + H₂O₂ 2.5% .70% >6.3 1.0 9-4 Diester blend^(,1) + POAA³ 2.5% 1500 ppm >6.3 2.7

[0082] The results in Table IX demonstrate the ability to induce effective microbial control at lower treatment temperatures.

EXAMPLE 10

[0083] Aqueous mixtures containing an antimicrobially-active solvent, a peracid, or mixtures of both were prepared and evaluated against the spore-forming, enterotoxin producing pathogen Bacillus cereus using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. Set out below in Table X are the run number, solvent, solvent concentration, peracid concentration, and the observed log order reduction for B. cereus for each composition. TABLE X Run Solvent, Peracid B. cereus Log No. Solvent (wt %) (ppm) Reduction 10-1 None 0% 1000¹ 0.2 10-2 None 0% 3000¹ 0.9 10-3 None 0% 4000² 0.8 10-4 Benzyl alcohol 3% 0 0.1 10-5 Benzyl alcohol 3% 1000¹ 2.4 10-6 Diester blend^(,3) 3% 0 0.3 10-7 Diester blend^(,3) 3% 1000² 3.6 10-8 Diester blend^(,3)   2.5% 1500⁴ >6.3

[0084] The results in Table X show the substantial synergistic improvements in sporicidal efficacy that can be obtained by combining the antimicrobially-active solvent and a peracid, as can be seen by comparing Run Nos. 10-1, 10-4 and 10-5, and Run Nos. 10-3, 10-6 and 10-7. Run No. 10-7 provided nearly a 3-log reduction improvement compared to the use of the antimicrobially-active solvent or peracid alone, while using a lower quantity of peracid. Run No. 10-8 provided an especially effective sporicide at even lower levels of antimicrobially-active solvent and peracid.

EXAMPLE 11

[0085] Using the method of Example 10, aqueous mixtures containing 3% benzyl alcohol, or varying amounts of several peracids (KX-6091, MATRIXX™, TSUNAMI 100™ or OXONIA ACTIVE™; Ecolab), or mixtures of both benzyl alcohol and peracid were prepared and evaluated as possible sterilant formulations against the spore-forming, enterotoxin producing pathogen Bacillus cereus using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. Set out below in Table VIII are the run number, solvent, peracid concentration, and the observed log order reduction for B. cereus for each composition. TABLE XI Peracid, B. cereus Log Run No. Solvent Solvent, (wt %) (ppm) Reduction 11-1 Benzyl alcohol 3% 1000¹ >6.5 11-2 Benzyl alcohol 3% 1000² >6.5 11-3 Benzyl alcohol 3% 1000³ >5.6 11-4 Benzyl alcohol 3% 1000⁴ 2.4 11-5 Benzyl alcohol 3% 1000⁵ >6.3 11-5 Benzyl alcohol 3% None 0.1 11-6 None 0% 4000⁴ 0.8 11-7 None 0% 4000² 0.8

[0086] The results in Table XI show the substantial synergistic improvements in sporicidal efficacy that can be obtained by combining the antimicrobially-active solvent and a peracid. For example, Run No. 11-2 provided more than a 6-log reduction improvement compared to the use of the antimicrobially-active solvent alone (Run No. 11-5), and nearly a 6-log reduction improvement compared to the use of the peracid alone (Run No. 11-7), yet required only one-fourth as much peracid.

EXAMPLE 12

[0087] Using the method of Example 10, aqueous mixtures containing various solvents and varying amounts of a peracid (15C; Ecolab) were prepared and evaluated against the spore-forming, enterotoxin producing pathogen Bacillus cereus using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. Set out below in Table XII are the run number, solvent type and concentration, peracid type and concentration, and the observed log order reduction for B. cereus for each composition. As shown, a wide range of chemical solvent classes yielded substantial spore reductions. TABLE XII Run Solvent Type and Amount Peracid Type and - B. cereus Log No. (wt %) Amount (ppm) Reduction 12-1 Phenoxyethanol (2.5%) 15C¹ (1200 ppm) 3.4 12-2 Phenethanol (3.0%) 15C¹ (2000 ppm) >6.4 12-3 Benzoic acid (0.5%) 15C¹ (2000 ppm) >6.0 12-4 Benzyl benzoate (0.5%) 15C¹ (2000 ppm) 2.3 12-5 Diester blend^(,2) (2.5%) 15C¹ (1200 ppm) >6.2

EXAMPLE 13

[0088] Using the method of Example 10, aqueous mixtures containing varying types and amounts of solvents and varying types and amounts of several peracids were prepared and evaluated as sporicides against Bacillus subtilis , using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. Set out below in Table XIII are the run number, solvent, solvent concentration, peracid type and concentration, and the observed log order reduction for B. subtilis for each composition. TABLE XIII B. subtilis Solvent Peracid Type and Amount, Log Run No. Solvent wt % ppm Reduction 13-1 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% VORTEXX ™^(,1) (1000 ppm) >6.7 13-2 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% VORTEXX ™^(,1) (1500 ppm) >6.7 13-3 Benzyl alcohol 3.5% VORTEXX ™^(,1) (1000 ppm) >6.7 13-4 Benzyl alcohol 3.0% VORTEXX ™^(,1) (1500 ppm) >6.7 13-5 Benzyl alcohol 3.5% 15C² (1000 ppm) 5.6 13-6 Benzyl alcohol 2.5% VORTEXX ™^(,1) (1500 ppm) >6.7 13-7 Benzyl alcohol 2.0% VORTEXX ™^(,1) (1500 ppm) >6.7  13-8⁴ Benzyl alcohol 2.0% TSUNAMI 100 ™^(,3) (1000 ppm) >6.7 13-9 Phenoxyethanol 5.0% 15C² (1000 ppm) 6.7  13-10 Phenoxyethanol 5.0% VORTEXX ™^(,1) (1000 ppm) 6.7  13-11 Phenoxyethanol 2.5% 15C² (1500 ppm) >6.5  13-12 Phenoxyethanol-tetra 5.0% 15C² (1000 ppm) 6.7 ethoxylate  13-13 Diester blend⁵ 2.5% 15C² (1500 ppm) >6.5  13-14 Diester blend⁵ 1.5% VORTEXX ™^(,1) (1500 ppm) >6.7  13-15 Tert-butanol 5.0% VORTEXX ™^(,1) (1500 ppm) >6.7

EXAMPLE 14

[0089] Using the method of Example 2, aqueous mixtures containing 2.5 wt. % DBE-3™solvent (diester blend, DuPont Nylon) and a peracid were prepared and evaluated as a general antimicrobial agent against S. aureus, E. coli, or N. fisheri using a 10 second contact time at 60° C. Set out below in Table XIV are the run number, peracid type and amount, and the observed log order reduction for each organism. TABLE XIV Run Peracid Type Log Reduction No. and Amount (ppm) S. aureus E. coli N. fisheri 14-1 15C¹ (2000 ppm) — — 3.7 14-2 OXONIA ACTIVE ™^(,2) >7.2 >7.1 — (75 ppm)

[0090] Various modifications and alterations of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth above. 

We claim:
 1. A method for antimicrobial treatment comprising applying to microbes a composition containing a diluting solvent, an antimicrobially-active solvent having a density different from the density of the diluting solvent, and an optional cosolvent, surfactant, or additional antimicrobial agent, wherein the amount of antimicrobially-active solvent or additional antimicrobial agent is sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant is sufficiently low so that the composition will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of spores or bacteria of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the diluting solvent comprises water.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the composition comprises such additional antimicrobial agent.
 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the additional antimicrobial agent comprises an oxidizing or non-oxidizing compound selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxides, peracids, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, active halogen compounds, sulfonic acids, iodo-compounds, phenolic derivatives, quaternary ammonium compounds, and mixtures thereof.
 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the composition will also provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of the mold Chaetomium funicola within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment comprises applying the composition to a hard surface, soft surface, porous surface, food substance or skin.
 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment comprises applying the composition to food packaging and the composition will provide greater than a 3-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the food packaging is aseptic food packaging.
 9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment comprises applying the composition to hospital or surgical linens or garments and wherein the composition will provide greater than a 3-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment comprises sanitizing a solution or hard surface and wherein the composition will provide greater than a 3-log order reduction within 10 seconds at 60° C. in the population of bacteria or spores of the Bacillus species in such solution or on such surface.
 11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment comprises disinfecting a hard surface and wherein the composition will provide greater than a 5-log order reduction within 10 seconds at 60° C. in the population of bacteria or spores of the Bacillus species on such surface.
 12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment acts as a sporicide in a solution or on a hard surface and wherein the composition will provide greater than a 5-log order reduction within 10 seconds at 60° C. in the population of bacteria or spores of the Bacillus species in such solution or on such surface.
 13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment comprises sterilizing a hard surface and wherein the composition will provide substantially complete elimination of the population of bacteria or spores of the Bacillus species on such surface.
 14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment comprises reducing microbial or viral populations on a surface or object or in a body or stream of water.
 15. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment comprises a teat dip, hard surface cleaner, sanitizer, disinfectant, sterilizer, surgical garment treatment, ware wash, wash water treatment, bleach, laundry liquid, plant treatment or food treatment.
 16. An antimicrobial concentrate and instructions for mixing the concentrate with water, wherein the concentrate comprises an antimicrobially-active solvent that has a density different from that of water, an optional cosolvent or surfactant, and an optional additional antimicrobial agent, the amounts of antimicrobially-active solvent and optional additional antimicrobial agent being sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant being sufficiently low so that when the concentrate is mixed with water according to the instructions the resulting mixture will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 17. A concentrate according to claim 16 wherein the amount of antimicrobially-active solvent is sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant is sufficiently low so that a clear single-phase solution or microemulsion is not formed when the concentrate is mixed with water according to the instructions.
 18. A concentrate according to claim 16 comprising said additional antimicrobial agent, wherein the amounts of antimicrobially-active solvent and of additional antimicrobial agent are sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant are sufficiently low so that when the concentrate is mixed with water according to the instructions the resulting mixture will provide greater than a 3-log order reduction in the population of spores or bacteria of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 19. A concentrate according to claim 18 comprising said additional antimicrobial agent, wherein when the concentrate is mixed with water according to the instructions the resulting mixture yields a clear solution.
 20. A concentrate according to claim 18 wherein the additional antimicrobial agent comprises an oxidizing or non-oxidizing compound selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxides, peracids, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, active halogen compounds, sulfonic acids, iodo-compounds, phenolic derivatives, quaternary ammonium compounds, and mixtures thereof.
 21. A concentrate according to claim 18 wherein the additional antimicrobial agent comprises a peracid, peroxide, or active halogen compound.
 22. A concentrate according to claim 21 wherein the additional antimicrobial agent comprises peroxyacetic acid, hypochlorous acid, hypobromous acid, iodine monochloride, iodine dichloride, iodine dibromide, or chlorine dioxide.
 23. A concentrate according to claim 21 wherein the amounts of antimicrobially-active solvent and peracid are sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant are sufficiently low so that when the concentrate is mixed with water according to the instructions the resulting mixture will provide greater than a 4-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 24. A concentrate according to claim 18 wherein the composition will also provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of the mold Chaetomium funicola within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 25. An antimicrobial composition comprising a diluting solvent, an antimicrobially-active solvent having a density that is different from the density of the diluting solvent, and an optional cosolvent, surfactant, or additional antimicrobial agent, wherein the amounts of antimicrobially-active solvent and of additional antimicrobial agent are sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant are sufficiently low so that the composition will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 26. A composition according to claim 25 wherein the composition exhibits pseudo-stable phase-splitting behavior.
 27. A composition according to claim 25 wherein the composition exhibits quasi-stable behavior.
 28. A composition according to claim 25 wherein the composition is not a clear single-phase solution or microemulsion.
 29. A composition according to claim 25 wherein the diluting solvent comprises water.
 30. A composition according to claim 29 wherein the antimicrobially-active solvent is denser than water.
 31. A composition according to claim 30 wherein after application of the composition to a surface a predominantly antimicrobially-active solvent layer will form on the surface and a predominantly aqueous layer will form on the antimicrobially-active solvent layer.
 32. A composition according to claim 25 wherein the antimicrobially-active solvent comprises a polar solvent.
 33. A composition according to claim 32 wherein the polar solvent comprises an ether, aromatic alcohol, dialkyl diester, or mixtures thereof.
 34. A composition according to claim 32 wherein the polar solvent comprises at least one of benzyl alcohol, ethylene glycol phenyl ether, propylene glycol phenyl ether, propylene carbonate, phenoxyethanol, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, diethyl succinate, dibutyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, diethyl glutarate, dibutyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, diethyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, or mixtures thereof.
 35. A composition according to claim 32 wherein the polar solvent comprises benzyl alcohol.
 36. A composition according to claim 25 wherein the diluting solvent comprises water and the antimicrobially-active solvent has a water solubility less than about 10% by weight.
 37. A composition according to claim 36 wherein the antimicrobially-active solvent has a water solubility less than about 5% by weight.
 38. A composition according to claim 36 wherein the antimicrobially-active solvent has a water solubility less than about 2% by weight.
 39. A composition according to claim 25 containing water and at least about 10 weight % antimicrobially-active solvent.
 40. A composition according to claim 25 containing water and at least about 50 weight % antimicrobially-active solvent.
 41. A composition according to claim 25 containing water and about 75 weight % to about 95 weight % antimicrobially-active solvent.
 42. A composition according to claim 25 wherein the antimicrobially-active solvent comprises benzyl alcohol, ethylene glycol phenyl ether, propylene glycol phenyl ether, propylene carbonate, phenoxyethanol, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, diethyl succinate, dibutyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, diethyl glutarate, dibutyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, diethyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, or mixtures thereof, and the composition contains no more than about 3 weight % surfactant.
 43. A composition according to claim 25 wherein the composition comprises said additional antimicrobial agent, and the additional antimicrobial agent comprises at least one of a carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, sulfonic acid, active halogen compound, active oxygen compound, phenolic derivative or quaternary ammonium compound.
 44. A composition according to claim 43 wherein the additional antimicrobial agent comprises a peracid.
 45. A composition according to claim 44 wherein the peracid comprises peroxyacetic acid.
 46. A composition according to claim 43 wherein the amounts of antimicrobially-active solvent and of additional antimicrobial agent are sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant are sufficiently low so that composition will provide greater than a 2-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus and in the population of the mold Chaetomium funicola within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 47. A composition according to claim 43 wherein the amounts of antimicrobially-active solvent and of additional antimicrobial agent are sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant are sufficiently low so that composition will provide greater than a 4-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus and in the population of the mold Chaetomium funicola within 10 seconds at 60° C.
 48. A composition according to claim 25 wherein the composition comprises a cosolvent comprising at least one of diethylene glycol butyl ether or dipropylene glycol butyl ether.
 49. A composition according to claim 25 wherein the composition is substantially surfactant-free. 